National

DENVER (AP) – Six gay couples filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to overturn Colorado’s gay marriage ban, adding to an escalating showdown in the state as its Republican attorney general urges Boulder officials to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Although Colorado’s constitution bans same-sex marriage, a ruling from the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver last week regarding a Utah case said states cannot prevent people from marrying based on their gender.

That motivated Boulder County Clerk Hillary Hall to begin issuing marriage licenses, even though the 10th Circuit put its ruling on hold pending an appeal.

The ruling also invigorated attorneys for six gay couples to file a federal lawsuit in Denver asking for an injunction stopping all officials from enforcing Colorado’s same-sex marriage ban. Voters approved the constitutional ban in 2006.

Even if an injunction succeeds, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to be the final authority on the matter.

“We are standing together today on the side of love,” said Kate Burns, who along with partner Sheila Schroeder is among the couples who filed suit.

Meanwhile, Attorney General John Suthers warned Hall she will face unspecified legal action from his office if she doesn’t stop issuing marriage licenses to gay couples.

Suthers said his office and Boulder County should appeal to the Colorado Supreme Court to determine whether Hall has the authority to issue the licenses. Suthers said in his letter to Hall that while the 10th Circuit ruling is an “important landmark,” Colorado law will remain unchanged until there’s a final ruling.